Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-26
GOBLIN MOTHS.
SPRAY AND BAND TREATMENT
FOR THEIR ERADICATION.
cultural Experiment Station and
Results Therefrom.

The following bulletin (No. 75) has Just
been issued by Professor E. ]. Wixon from
the State University, showing results of ex-
periments made there during the past sea-
son for the eradication of the Goblin moth !:
During the summer of 1887 careful OBJ
servations have been made of the efficacy
of spraying with arsenical compounds and
of the band treatment for the reduction of
the Goblin moth, Carpocapsa pomOneila
This insect appeared in the University or
chard a few years ago, and during last year
was quite abundant. The success reported
by Professor S. a. Forbes. State Entomolo-
gist of Illinois, in spraying with Paris
green for the destruction of the larvae as
soon as il begins to feed in the caiyx of the
apple and similarly good results reported
by several California apple growers, sug-
gested that set of experiments with arse
mic and its compounds should be made in
the University orchard where more time
could he given TO an accurate account of re-
suits than busy fruit-grower could devote
to such work. As it was known that W.
q. Klee, State Inspector of Fruit Pests, was
conducting similar experiments on his own
farn and was keeping accounts of expert
ments by others, it was thought best that
the University experiment should be given
| direction similar to his, that the results
of all experiments could finally be brought
together and serve for purposes of wide
generalization. For this purpose Mr. Klee
was invited to prescribe the applications to
be made. He did so. and assisted person
ally in the preparation and application of
the poisons-a service for which we make
due acknowledgment.
Application was made of three sub-
stances. white arsenic, Paris green and
London purple, and each in different
strengths, as will be specified in the tables
which will be given below. The white
arsenic was dissolved in hot water: the
Paris green and London purple We're kept
as thoroughly stirred as possible while be-
ing drawn up by the pump. The drench-
ing OF the trees was quite complete, the
| spray being especially directed upon the
clusters OF fruit which in most cases were
still upright, so that the drops CT the LIQUID
| were caught and held in the calyx end
There was, of course, much difference in
the size of the fruit, as the orchard COM
| prises large collection of summer. fall and
winter fruits. Trees were selected. how
ever, as carefully as possible, which had
the fruit of the best stage of growth, saw
| from the size of a pea to that of a small
marble, at the time of the first spraying.
The tables will show that in most cases
three appllcatOnS were given, all within
| 30 days from May 3lst. During that period
the records of the University meteorologi
| cal observatory show that rain was meas
ured but once, and then but one-twentieth
of an inch, and in the month of June there
was but sprinkle, even less in amodnt, so
that the weather was perfect tor the re-
tention of the poison on the fruit.
The University orchard is planted with
two trees of each variety. and in these ex-
periments one was sprayed and the other
reserved without treatment, so that COM
parison, each tree with one of its own va
| riety and age, could be made. The orchard
was guarded in such way that no outside
interference could be had with the fruit.
Twice week all the fruit which fell from
the sprayed trees and from the check trees.
unsprayed, was examined and careful entry
made in book prepared for the purpose.
of all worms found in the fruit, of all fruit
from which the worms had escaped. and
the number of worms found under the
bands of sack-cloth, which were placed
upon all the trees. The plan of procedure
was faithfully carried out until November
LIST, when all the fruit remaining at that
time was removed from the trees. examined
for worms and the experiment closed.
The following tables show a summary of
results. The full report, with details of
procedure, and deductions therefrom. is re-
served for our next annual report